
Policies for COVID-19
Posted on: Tuesday, March 8, 2022 - 4:22pm |
Trails

Contact the park
828-966-9099
gorges@ncparks.gov
Addresses
Visitor center
976 Grassy Ridge Road
Sapphire, NC 28774
GPS: 35.0960, -82.9510
Frozen Creek access
Frozen Creek Road
Brevard, NC 28712
GPS: 35.1086, -82.8837
Hours
►
- December to February:
7:00am to 7:00pm
- March to April:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- May to September:
7:00am to 10:00pm
- October:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- November
7:00am to 8:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- December to February:
7:00am to 6:30pm
- March to April:
7:00am to 8:30pm
- May to September:
7:00am to 9:30pm
- October:
7:00am to 8:30pm
- November
7:00am to 7:30pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- Open daily:
9:00am to 5:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
List of trails
Offering rugged terrain that will challenge any outdoors enthusiast, visitors who traverse the steep, backwoods trails of Gorges State Park will be rewarded with views of dazzling waterfalls or perhaps an encounter with one of the numerous rare species of the park. However, some of the more secluded areas of the park are not recommended for casual hiking.
One of the park’s most popular pathways is the Foothills Trail. Established by Duke Energy, the trail winds along the southern portion of the state park and wraps around Lake Jocassee, where primitive campsites are available. The trailhead is located at the Frozen Creek access area in Rosman on Frozen Creek Road. This area provides parking, picnic areas and trailheads.
The Auger Hole Trail cuts directly through the heart of the park. Horses and mountain bikes are permitted on the Auger Hole Trail from the Frozen Creek Access to Turkey Pen Gap on the western boundary of Gorges State Park. Horses and mountain bikes are not permitted beyond Turkey Pen Gap. This trail also serves as a connector from Frozen Creek Access to the Foothills Trail. There are two low water crossings that must be waded across along the trail, one at the Toxaway River and one at Bearwallow Creek. Under normal conditions the water level is about knee deep. However, water levels can rise unexpectedly with high rainfall, making these crossings impassable. Downed trees and landslides are another hazard hikers should be aware of. The terrain is steep with thick vegetation on either side of the trail and venturing off-trail in search of waterfalls is not recommended.
7.20 miles
one way
strenuous hike
orange square
This is a short but strenuous trail to the Upper Bearwallow Falls observation deck.
0.40 miles
one way
strenuous hike
blue triangle
This is a short but moderate trail to the Bearwallow Valley observation deck. Depending on the weather, great views of the park and Lake Jocassee are possible.
0.40 miles
one way
moderate hike
red triangle
This trail follows the eastern boundary of the park from Frozen Creek Access to the Foothills Trail. It provides access to the non reservable primitive backpack sites along the Foothills Trail along the northern tip of Lake Jocassee at the Mouth of the Toxaway River.
5.00 miles
one way
strenuous hike
yellow square
The Foothills Trail is a 76-mile (122 km) National Recreation Trail trail in South and North Carolina, United States, for recreational hiking and backpacking. It extends from Table Rock State Park to Oconee State Park. It passes through the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest, Ellicott Rock Wilderness, Whitewater Falls, and Lake Jocassee. The part of the trail in Gorges State Park travels through the southern back country before it wraps around Lake Jocassee and crosses a long suspension bridge to where primitive campsites are available.
6.70 miles
one way
strenuous hike
white slash
Park Maps and Brochures: